Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-28

Not Peter the wild Crusader
When bent upon his knee,
Not Arthur and hi. beltei knights
IN the poets song could be
More earnest than those southern mes
Who followed Robert Lee.
They thought that thcy were right. and {
Was hammered into those
Who held that crest all dronched in bic
Where the Bloody Angle rose.
As far all else. IL passes by
AZ The idle wind that blows.
Then stand up. on my COuntrymen
Aud unto God give thanks,
On mountains. and on Lillsides,
And by sloping river banks
Thank God that you were worthy
OF the grand Confederate ranks;
That you who came from uplands
And from beside tho sea,
Filled with love ~ Old Virginia
And the teachings OF the free,
Nay boast In sight Of all men
That you followed Robert Lee.
Peace has come. God gave his blessing
On the fact and on the name.
1hc south speaks no iuycctiye,
Aud she writes no word Of blame;
But We rail- all men % witness
That We stand up without shame
Nay, Send II forth n all the world
That We stand up here with pri1e,
Win love for our living comrades
And with praise Tor those who died;
And I'm his manly frame of mind
Gill death we will abide.
God and our cOnsCienccs alone
Give Va measures Of right and wrong.
The race may fall unto the swilt
And the battle % the strong:
But the truth will shine in history
Aud blossom into song.
Human grief full Of by glory
t. assuagcd and disappear,
when its requiem swell5 with music
Like the shock Of shields and spears,
And its passion is too fun u pride
Toleaye a space tor tears.
fnd hence to-day. my Countrymen,
VIC come. with undimmed eyes,
in homage Of tie hero Lee,
The good. the great, the w.-ci
And at lis name our hearts will leap
TIN his last Old soldier dies.
fsk mo. II 20 you please, 10 paint
Siormginds upon the sea:
Ten me 20 weigh great Chcops-
Set v0lc auic forces free;
But bid me not. my Countrymen,
TO picture Robert lee!
kseaul. bound for Damascus fair.
Was struck blind by sudden light.
so my eyes are panied and daBzled
by radiance pure ana white
Shot back boy the FURNISHED armor
Of that gloiy-tclted Knight
His was al the Norman's polish
And sohriety ~ grace:
All the Goth'- male~tc figure:
All the Ron ans noble face:
And he stood thc tail eXemplar
OF a grand historic race.
Barouial wers his acres where
lotcmRc's waters run:
High his lineage, and nis blazon
Was by cunning heralds done;
But better still he might have said
OF his "work3n hc WAS the "son."
Truth walked beside him always
From his clildLOOd's IS early years,
Honor followed a. his shadow
Nglor lichtoucd all his cares;
And he rodc-that grand Nirginiau-
Last Of all the CaValieisl
As n soldier ve all know him
Great ia action ard rcpose.
Saw how bis genius kinllcd
Aud his mighty spirit rose
When the four quarters of the globe
EucCmlasssd him with foes.
But be and his grew brayer
As lie danger grew more rife,
Ayarici0us they of glory
But most prodigal Of life,
And the Army of Virginia
Was the Alta. OF the strife.
Ashis troubles gathered round him,
qLick a. waves that heat the shore
ATHA CCRA rode behind him
Famine's shadow filled his door;
sin he wrought deeIs no mortal man
Had ever wrought before.
".
Then came the end. my Counirymen,
ME lat thunleTb0lts were hurled!
Worn out by his own victories
lis battlc-lacs were furled,
And a history was finished
Ilathss changed the modern world.
As some saint In the arena
UfB bloody homan game
As the prize OF his endcayOr
Put on an immortal frame.
Through long agonies our soldier
Won tho crown Of martial fame.
But there came a greater glory
To that man supremely great
Mhen his Just sword he laid aside
In peace 10 serve bis State),
Eor In his assic solitude
lie rose up and mastered Fate.
He triumphed and be did not del
No funeral bells are tOlled-
But on that Gay IN Lexington
Fame came herself 90 hold
His stirrup while he mounted
To ride down the streets Of gold.
lie Il no, dead There Is no death
he only went before,
His Journey on when CHRIST THE LORD
Wide open held the door,
And calm. celestial peace Is his:
Thank God foreyermore.
v.
When the enigy Of Washington
In IT'S bronze was reared on high
Twas mine. with others, now long gone
Beneath a stormy sky,
To utter % the multitude
His name that cannot die.
And here To- day, my Countrymen,
tell you Lee shall ride
WIKI that great "rebol down the yea
Twin "rebeis side by side =
And confronting such vision
All our grief gives place 20 pride.
These two shall ride immortal
And shall ride abreast Of Time
Shall light up stately history
And blaze In Epic Rhyme
Both patriots. both NirCinians true,
Both "reDels.' both sublime.
Our past Is fun OF glory,
lt Is shut-in sea,
The Pillars overlooking Il
Are Washington and Lee:-
Ana future spreads befJre US
Not unworthy Of the free.
Ard here and now, my Countrymen,
Upon this sacred sod,
Let us feel: II was "OUR FATHER
Who above ue held the rod,
And from hills % sea
Like Robert Lee
Bow fevercntly TO GoD.
Captain McCahe's recitation Of the poem
frequently Interrupted with rapturous
)lause.
The Oration OF Colonel Chni
Marshall.
General Early then introduced Colonel
han. Lees military SECRETARY. who spoN
IullCws:
II is now more than twenty-five years slhc
ast gun Was fred in the war between
siaies. ahd more than twenty-one years
he blessed return Of peace WAS proclal
throughout The land. All who hear my
"a - aN -. ..alN